Lebanese Forces Party leader Samir Geagea mentioned that the Prime Minister's office issued a memorandum to close public and private institutions in commemoration of Resistance and Liberation Day on May 25, 2024. The memorandum stated that "the first period on Monday, May 27, 2024, in all schools, institutes, and universities will be dedicated to explaining the importance of this national occasion."
In a statement regarding this memorandum, he affirmed that "while it is self-evident to mention the occasion of the Israeli army's withdrawal from the border strip among national holidays, it is equally self-evident to include the occasion of the Syrian army's withdrawal from the heart of Lebanon as part of national holidays. Occupation is occupation, whether it comes from an enemy or a 'brother,' especially since the Syrian regime, through its army, had full control over the state and its institutions and dominated most of Lebanese territory. It is unacceptable to continue treating issues related to Lebanon’s sovereignty selectively."
Geagea explained that "the withdrawal of the Israeli army, followed by the Syrian army from Lebanon, should have served as an opportunity for the establishment of an actual state and for the strategic decision to return to the core of the state, which alone should defend Lebanon's sovereignty through the Lebanese army. However, unfortunately, the resistance axis continues to insist on monopolizing the military and security decision of the state, which keeps sovereignty deficient and the country in a state of instability, prevents the establishment of a functioning state, hinders the implementation of the constitution, exposes Lebanon to wars, and embroils it in external conflicts."
He pointed out that "the request from schools and institutes to dedicate the first period to explaining the importance of this national occasion is considered an interference in educational programs unless its official purpose is intended, which also requires dedicating a period related to the national occasion represented by the withdrawal of the Syrian army. In both cases, the content of these periods should be agreed upon to nurture generations with a proper national upbringing based solely on the state as the authority of decision and the army as the exclusive executor of this decision in protecting sovereignty and defending Lebanon."
